42 Balloons - Vaudeville / Lowry

Some official production shots

I was lucky enough to see this on Saturday night and went in without knowing very much about it at all, other than positive buzz from the concert. Fully agree with all that’s been said above, it’s an exciting and fresh new musical that was in incredibly strong shape for its 4th(?) preview. It’s a varied score with some incredibly catchy numbers, with Evelyn Hoskins’ Helium being a particular standout.

It’s such a quirky story and I definitely recommend not reading too much about it in advance, there are a handful of twists and turns that took me by complete surprise.

It is also clear from the excellent set, staging and full range of merch that this has some decent investment behind it and plans for a future life. I very much look forward to seeing where it goes next!

What merch have they got? I'm going on Saturday and am psyched having seen the Vaudeville concert in 2022!

Can’t remember exactly, but there was certainly a mug, hoodies, t-shirts and lapel pins. Sadly no balloons for sale (although probably a good thing for the sake of the Bad Behaviour thread 🤣) but there is an excellent reproduction lawn chair for photo opportunities in the lobby.

Saw the matinee of this today. Loved it as much as the concert version in 2022 and act two has definitely been fixed a lot. It's ready for bigger things but it felt like a little trim and tighten might be in order. This isn't a criticism; it's like a delicious cheesecake that it very tasty but leaves you a little stuffed!

I truly believe this one is another Mincemeat and will have the same tragedy and fans. Could be a harder sell though. It's also got one of the best soundtracks of any new musical in recent years. Release the full album!

Unfortunately, we had a 30 minute show stop after the opening number because the actor playing "The Kid" had a offstage injury. Luckily, the show ran with a un-rehearsed swing in the role with book in hand - she did fantastic!

Conclusion: This will be back in London.

I was there this afternoon too (looked for you but didn’t spot you david). Wasn’t going to book for this until I saw the feedback here. What a great show! I loved it! Performances all fantastic but Evelyn Hoskins as Carole stole it for me. She struck just the right note in every way. Loved the 80s pop/rock score (I think Cyndi Lauper might raise an eyebrow when she hears Give It Up).
Act 1 is stronger for sure, it’s very hard to bring act 2 to a conclusion that’s more dramatic than the “flight” itself but I’m still giving it 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 because it would be churlish not to after such an enjoyable afternoon. Audience loved it, stalls full but tiers were sparse. I’ve recommended it to friends already and I hope it goes further after this run. It deserves it.

Found this video of the real events. 

The first time I saw 42 Balloons in concert at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, I had booked another ticket before I’d even got home. It’s felt like a bit of a wait to hear Jack Godfrey’s fantastic 80s power-pop inspired score but surely it stood to reason that I’d be making the long trip up north to see this show’s first full production.

In Salford’s Lowry theatre, this musical is just as wonderful as before. No, actually it’s even better as now we have Milla Clarke’s innovative set design, essentially set inside a giant weather balloon, to inject further life into the piece. The Lowry’s Quays space proved an inspired choice for this show.

Evelyn Hoskins is once again the star as Carol and ‘Helium’ provides the show-stopping moment that I feel West End audiences will truly appreciate. She is so endearing as Larry’s partner, ultimately you end up viewing his story almost entirely through her eyes. Hoskins really is an incredible watch.

But Charlie McCullagh makes for a very strong lead resuming the role of ‘Lawn Chair’ Larry. Acts one and two vary a lot in tone and McCullagh navigates that range of emotions with relative ease. Special mention for the cast’s new additions of Gillian Hardie (Carol’s mum) and Lejaun Sheppard (Ron), who stepped into their roles wonderfully.

The 80s vibe allows for the show’s ensemble to really feel part of it and, in many ways, they are part of the set. Ellie Coote’s direction keeps the energy high-octane but you do wonder if there are perhaps moments where less would be more, particularly during moments between Larry and Carol, and the wider ensemble would benefit from taking a slight step back.

I also think, prior to the show’s inevitable West End transfer, it needs to explore the possibility of giving Larry his Defying Gravity moment of flight at the end of act one. Both in terms of a slightly more triumphant number and for the audience to actually witness him taking flight.

However, Godfrey has used this full production tryout in Salford to solidify 42 Balloons’ status as Britain’s most exciting new musical. I can’t wait to see it again.

Five stars.

Does it have a press night? We go Saturday afternoon

Saw tonight. Just brilliant!

The second act goes to places I did not expect but the show is all the stronger for it.

I’ll be seeing again!

Makes me want to go see it again. I might do!
I really liked the projections. I don’t know what they did for the concert but even now there’s really not a great deal of set. Most of the visuals come from the shape of the stage, the projections, some on stage video cameras for tv studio scenes (no syncing issues) and the band being visible through a crack in the balloon half way up. It was very cool.

Didn’t realise Jack Godfrey was so young! Seems very nice. I think he might have a hit on his hands here.

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